In light of the tight labor market and the acute need for qualified candidates to join the printing industry, Koenig & Bauer (U.S.) took the decisive step to invest in its future and develop new unique apprenticeship programs to fill its technical positions. For the past two years, the Dallas-based division has been working in collaboration with the Training and Human Resources Departments at its factory in Germany along with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to establish a Technician Apprenticeship Program and recruit qualified students. The purpose of the program is to attract and develop new technical talent for the printing industry.
“We are pleased to announce that our first applicants have been chosen — two extremely competent women, who are currently participating in our programs,” Ericka Luneau, Koenig & Bauer (US) Human Resource director, says. In mid-January 2019, Kaitlin Sullivan, a recent TSTC graduate with a A.S. Degree in Wind Energy Technology (WET), joined Koenig & Bauer as an Electrician Apprentice and Amanda Beltran joined the company’s apprenticeship program in its machine shop as a new Machinist Apprentice; she graduated with an A.S. in Mechatronics Technology, a complex interdisciplinary field that combines the study of mechanics, electronics, automation and computers.
Sullivan is based in Dallas and is reporting to a regional service manager. She will work in the field with mentors for the next few months until she moves to Germany this spring. Beltran will be based in the Dallas machine shop but her training will also include some fieldwork and specialized training in Germany. Since both women are the first in these particular apprenticeship programs, Koenig & Bauer (US) is encouraging them to provide feedback on how the program can be improved.
To be considered for the program, applicants are required to have a two-year related technical degree. The 18-month program encompasses field training with mentors in the U.S., classes at the German Apprenticeship School located at the Radebeul factory near Dresden, German language classes, work experience in its assembly hall at the factory, and specialized training in its training center at the factory. Apprentices are paid a salary and given a housing and transportation allowance while living in Germany. They will live and train in Germany for a period up to one year with intermittent field training in the U.S. Upon completion of the program, an apprentice will resume a service technician position in the field in the U.S., usually near an airport due to the necessary extensive travel.
Kaitlin Sullivan (left) joined Koenig & Bauer (US) as an Electrician Apprentice and Amanda Beltran has entered the company’s apprenticeship program in its machine shop as a new Machinist Apprentice.
